The Mingo Junction Police Department union filed an injunction in Jefferson County court Friday afternoon in an effort to stop layoffs set to take effect at midnight.

Judge Joseph Bruzzese denied that request but the fight to keep the force as is isn't over.

"There will be no one here," said Chief Steve Maguschak. "I was currently working turns in the department to try and alleviate overtime."

Maguschak said layoffs leave him with a bare bones department.

"I've got to try and keep my office open," he said. "We're at a minimum staff. I have no personnel to work."

Police argue in the injunction that their contract requires two officers per turn.

The layoffs will cut staffing to one officer per shift.

If a Mingo Junction officer needs help, they will have to rely on neighboring departments for backup.

Mayor Domenic Chappano said, "I spoke with the other police agencies in our area and they all gave me a promise that they would have mutual aid. I don’t think they'll be in jeopardy."

The issue has Chappano and police at odds.

"We don’t want to lose the Police Department and we don’t want to lose the Fire Department," said Chappano. "We don’t want to lose any of our services but the way things are going, it doesn't look good."

Judge Bruzzese ruled layoffs will proceed; however, both sides must meet with an arbitrator.

The arbitrator will decide which side of the argument is right.

Both sides must choose an arbitrator by March 22 and meet with him or her by March 31.

The judge wants a decision by April 14.

If the police win, the village must give back-pay, but the mayor said he doesn't know how the village could afford it.